Elmo can’t play for Sunderland again this season

AHMED ELMOHAMADY is unable to offer a tonic to Sunderland’s threadbare squad for the final two games, despite the Championship campaign drawing to a close.

Elmohamady helped Hull City secure promotion to the Premier League last weekend after a hugely successful loan stint at the KC Stadium, where the Egyptian was named the Tigers’ Player of the Season.

But with the Championship season now over and Sunderland’s squad growing increasingly depleted, there has been speculation that Paolo Di Canio would be able to call upon Elmohamady for the relegation run-in against Southampton on Sunday and at Spurs seven days later.

The Egyptian’s deal at Hull doesn’t officially expire until June 30 though - standard practice with long-term loans - and he will be unavailable to feature for his parent club.

Whether Elmohamady plays for Sunderland again at all, remains uncertain.

A clause was inserted into Elmohamady’s loan to make the move permanent if Hull secured promotion and all parties agreed to the move.

But with Hull still acclimatising to the prospect of Premier League football and Sunderland embroiled in the relegation scrap, there has not yet been any discussions over the potential move.

Sunderland head coach Di Canio told the Echo last week how he is postponing decisions on transfers until the campaign is concluded.

And the Italian may well decide that he sees Elmohamady playing a part in his plans, unlike predecessor Martin O’Neill, who was happy to sanction the 25-year-old’s exit last summer, before briefly recalling him in January.

For his part, Elmohamady has hinted that he would be keen to remain under former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce at Hull.

“I don’t know what will happen yet,” said Elmohamady.

“It has been a long season and I will go on holiday. I have never had a season where I have played so many games for my club and the national team.

“Now I’ll relax and see what happens.

“I would like to be here (Hull) with these players, these fans and especially this manager, but we must wait and see.”

It was Bruce who brought Elmohamady to Sunderland from Egyptian outfit ENPPI in the summer of 2010 and that could prove decisive in the winger’s thinking.

“He is a great personality and a great manager,” added Elmohamady. “He brought me from Egypt to England and he has taught me a lot in training. Then he brought me here and it has been a great year for us all (at Hull).”